00:44 - ApothecaryI never saw the appeal of Pallbearer. Ok music, but not worth the enormous praise they've been getting by some. Didn't ever impress me much on album and when I saw them live with Deafheaven I wasn't really won over either

01. I Can't Hear You02. Shepherds Of Rot03. The Aftermath04. Crawling In The Shadows05. In A Wake06. Repulsive07. Among The Vultures08. Show No Fear09. Restless Mind10. Left Behind11. Killing In The Name [Rage Against The Machine cover]

Of all the bigger names of the resurgence of popular(ish) thrash, Bonded By Blood have remained the one that I haven't ever really wanted to put on. Their stuff hasn't been all that bad, it's just it's always felt more stale than the work of Warbringer, Havok and the like. They never quite provided the right amount of uniqueness with their tunes to make their albums must-buys.

I honestly wish I could say that this changes all that, but it just doesn't. It has a number of the ingredients necessary for being great—the new more Steve Souza/Nuclear Assault-like vocals work better with the overall sound than the old vocalist's did, the axe-work is top-shelf from beginning to end, the new bassist sounds excellent, and the band is playing more cohesively than before--but everything is brought crumbling down by the lacking consistency in the songwriting department and the weak, Worlds Torn Asunder-y production job on this thing.

At least their previous albums all had it going for them that they were sufficiently loud; this thing sounds fully contained and smothered by the pillowy production—words that just can't be applied to a good, old fashioned, vicious thrash record. The riffing provides ample fists aimed at the face, but they're all shielded by the Serta-sponsored mixing.

It's well-executed, technical Bay Area-style thrash that's mixed to sound flaccid. It's a for-Bonded-fans only sort of deal, which is a goddamn shame considering the improvements these guys have made since 2010.

Comments

"The new more Steve Souza/Nuclear Assault-like vocals work better with the overall sound than the old vocalist's did"

The only part of this review I disagree with. Jose Aladdin (or whatever his name was) actually had a very "classic thrash" sounding voice in my opinion, which went perfect with the riffs. I'd say "Necropsy" off of Feed the Beast is a perfect example. Idk, maybe you're hearing something I'm not, listening is all subjective after all I suppose. Other than that, I agree with your rating and review. This has been the first BBB album that was actually a big disappointment for me, so for now I'll stick to Feed the Beast and Exiled to Earth and just hope that this new lineup improves with their next album.

Good points in this review. I'd rate performance and songwriting lower though due to vocals (weakish, lacks the aggression Jose had and even sounds somewhat out of place in thrash) and drumming (mundane mostly). And while the album has some pretty good leads and solos the absence of second quitar doesn't do any good especially on the riffs.

Jose Aladdin (or whatever his name was) actually had a very "classic thrash" sounding voice in my opinion, which went perfect with the riffs. I'd say "Necropsy" off of Feed the Beast is a perfect example. Idk, maybe you're hearing something I'm not, listening is all subjective after all I suppose.

Agreed. For me Jose's vocals on "Exiled to Earth" sounded very authentic and raw quite like Paul Baloff's vocals on "Bonded by Blood". Mauro, the new vocalist is totally lacking on that aspect.

This has been the first BBB album that was actually a big disappointment for me, so for now I'll stick to Feed the Beast and Exiled to Earth and just hope that this new lineup improves with their next album.

If you're talking about newer thrash gems, first two that come to mind came out this year: Onward To The Pits by Deathhammer and March to the Death by Incapacitate. Both underrated in the sense that they have 10 or fewer votes a pop here.

Kinda sad to see this band falling apart so quickly. I really enjoy their debut "Feed The Beast", it's probably something heavily influenced by the 80's, but it is really well done, better than some other praised and kinda boring debuts like "War Without End" of Warbringer. I gotta say I'm quite disappointed about this guys, their previous album was bad, but this one is even worse. Too bad for them, I really had high expectations in the past.

I was actually trying to get into BBB, the first albums left me with a "yeah, good album, won't listen to this for years, but they have potential, new album will be good". Unfortunately, no. Saw them live this year, good band to see live, there's a lot more energy there than there is on the albums, but seriously, The Aftermath just doesn't make the cut. Under aggresive riffs, repetitive, powerless drumming and only one guitar... Singer's ok, not great but ok, lacks finish, but still ok. Will not be expecting these guys to make a classic or even great album like some new Thrash albums, "Time is Up" from Havok or Revocation's "Chaos of Forms". Shame ...

If you're talking about newer thrash gems, first two that come to mind came out this year: Onward To The Pits by Deathhammer and March to the Death by Incapacitate. Both underrated in the sense that they have 10 or fewer votes a pop here.

If you're talking about newer thrash gems, first two that come to mind came out this year: Onward To The Pits by Deathhammer and March to the Death by Incapacitate. Both underrated in the sense that they have 10 or fewer votes a pop here.